What friends are for
Gerd Stepp was talked into this one
You have Gerd’s friends to thank for my latest discovery.
Because without a bit of ‘friendly’ encouragement, this wine probably wouldn’t exist.
Back to where it all began
Gerd Stepp is one of Germany’s most accomplished and experienced winemakers.
I first met him 13 years ago, when I brought his wines over to the UK.
Prior to that, he’d spent 20+ years making wine all over the world… from Tuscany to New Zealand and even Zimbabwe, before settling back in his hometown village of Bad Dürkheim in Pfalz.
The vineyards he works with now are some of the best in all of Germany, and he uses all of that international experience and savvy to make seriously impressive wines.
Discover pfabulous Pfalz with Gerd
The Pfalz wine region has a real Burgundy-meets-Alsace feel to it. Each village, as charming as the next one, is only a few minutes’ beautiful drive apart, along winding roads and rolling hills.
It’s less than an hour from the French border - and it’s actually been part of France several times throughout its history.
So when it comes to growing and making classic French grapes, it’s completely natural here.
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling are right at home - and you can now add Cabernet Franc to that list.
One thing led to another
Gerd spent years making wine in Argentina, and he was always impressed by the Cabernet Franc grown high up in the Uco Valley in Mendoza.
Hot days, cold nights and a long growing season combine to make perfumed, balanced Cab Franc with great freshness.
Back in Pfalz, when Gerd came across a southeast-facing Cab Franc vineyard on sandstone soils in a village called Herxheim am Berg, he got a similar feeling.
So he snapped up the fruit and started experimenting.
What friends are for
As one of Germany’s best winemakers, Gerd can do no wrong. And with a cellar-full of Stepp wines, he’s a good friend to have!
Gerd told me that while his friends loved his Pinot Noir, they were always asking him for something a bit more structured and serious.
Something that would stand up to a classic local dish like rump steak with chanterelles and pan-fried potatoes.
Then one day he poured them a Cabernet Franc that he’d been secretly ageing in barrels that previously held Grand Cru Burgundy.
They were blown away. This was like nothing they’d tried from Gerd before!
And now he tells me it’s all they drink ☺
This is your chance to taste it
Gerd only makes six barrels of this Cabernet Franc. I managed to secure two of them for you.
It means members now have access to three delicious Cabernet Francs:
- Stepp Pfalz Cabernet Franc 2023 - Gerd takes two vineyards in Herxheim am Berg and Bad Dürkheim, and drops the yield to build real body and power in the wine. Then he uses all his experience from Tuscany making Chianti Classico - whole-bunch fermentation, hand plunging, open-top tanks - which adds structure and richness. It then spends 20 months in Grand Cru Hospices de Beaune barrels - adding serious luxury and depth
- Mauricio Lorca Mendoza Cabernet Franc 2022 - Mauricio reckons Cab Franc is the next big thing to come out of Argentina - and this is exactly the sort of wine that inspired Gerd to make his. A leafy, peppery nose leads to a dark, juicy and structured palate, and it has that signature Mendoza smoothness.
- I Filari Toscana Cabernet Franc 2021 - the long growing season and complex soils on the Tuscan coast also suit Cabernet Franc perfectly. Winemaker Federico Cerelli uses every trick in the luxury winemaking book to make this taste sensational. Think inky graphite nose, and a smooth, refined and focussed palate. It’s a Super Tuscan without the Super price tag.
I speak from experience here
I took the team out for dinner last night and brought the Stepp Cabernet Franc, knowing I’d be writing to you about it today.
It doubled down my conviction. It was so smooth and elegant, and the lovely big Riedel Pinot Noir glasses really brought out the spiciness and complexity.
And at 13% alcohol, it also ensures full productivity in the office today!